Melbourne Cup Carnival 2026: the four race days
Four days at Flemington between 31 October and 7 November. What is run on each one, what sets the days apart and how to plan a visit.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is four race meetings at Flemington across eight days. In 2026 it opens on Saturday 31 October and closes on Saturday 7 November, with the Cup itself on the Tuesday in between. Each day has its own feature race and its own crowd, so it helps to know which one you are after before you buy a ticket.
Melbourne Cup Carnival 2026 dates
| Day | Date | Feature race |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Derby Day | Saturday 31 October | Victoria Derby, 2500m, three-year-olds |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tuesday 3 November | Melbourne Cup, 3200m handicap |
| Oaks Day | Thursday 5 November | Crown Oaks, three-year-old fillies |
| Stakes Day | Saturday 7 November | Champions Stakes and two other Group 1s |
When is Derby Day 2026?
Derby Day is Saturday 31 October. Many racing people rate it as the strongest card of the week: four Group 1 races, led by the Victoria Derby for three-year-olds over 2500 metres. The traditional dress is black and white, and the crowd tends to be younger than on Cup Day.
It also matters for the Cup. Final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup close that afternoon and the barrier draw is held in the evening, so by Saturday night the field for Tuesday is set.
Melbourne Cup Day
Tuesday 3 November is the day most of the country knows. Gates open at 9am, the first race goes at 10.45am and the Cup is due off at 3pm AEDT. It is a public holiday across Victoria. Start times in every state, the prize money and the TV details are in our Melbourne Cup 2026 guide.
On the Monday before, the Melbourne Cup Parade runs through the city with the trophy and past winners' connections. It is free to watch from the footpath.
What is Oaks Day?
Oaks Day falls on Thursday 5 November. The main race is the Crown Oaks for three-year-old fillies, and the day has long been the carnival's fashion day, with Fashions on the Field at its busiest. Crowds are smaller than on the Tuesday, which makes it a calmer way to see Flemington in spring.
What is Stakes Day?
Stakes Day on Saturday 7 November closes the carnival. Three Group 1 races are on the card, headed by the Champions Stakes. It is the most family-friendly of the four days, and it is when the season's best horses often have their last run before a summer break.
Tickets and getting there
The Victoria Racing Club sells tickets for each day separately. For Cup Day, general admission was listed at $60 for adults if bought by 28 October, and a two-day pass covering Cup Day and Oaks Day at $150. Prices and options differ by day, so check the VRC site for the one you want.
Trains run to Flemington from Southern Cross and Flinders Street on all four days. Parking near the course is limited.
Watching from home
Nine has the free-to-air rights to every carnival day until 2029, so all four meetings are on Channel 9 and 9Now. Sky Racing and the TAB app carry the races as well. For the rest of the spring and summer sporting year, see the Australian sports calendar.
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